People have already been travelling from far afield to view it
A ‘ghost sign’ promoting tickets on-board the Titanic has been given a new lease of life thanks to a new mural next to it(Image: Wigan Council)
A ‘ghost sign’ dating back more than 100 years in Wigan has been expanded with a stunning new mural that aims to bring its significant past back to life.
Street artist Scott Wilcock, who creates work under the alias of Snow Graffiti, created a three-storey mural of the Titanic, situated on the exterior wall of Andy’s All-Day Breakfast café on Gerald Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The artwork, which was funded by Wigan Council through the government’s Local Regeneration Fund, recognises a century-old ‘ghost sign’ for William Aspinall’s Chemist and the White Star shipping company.
A prominent figure in the Ashton area in the late 1800s, Aspinal sat on numerous boards and took on positions across the Urban District. An ‘arm’s-length’ owner of chemists, an advert dating back to 1888 indicated that, at the time, he ran a branch of shops across Scholes, Ashton and Platt Bridge.
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Street artist Scott Wilcock creates work under the alias of Snow Graffiti(Image: Wigan Council)
The original sign, which is now visibly faded and barely readable, is understood to have been promoting the chemist’s as a licensed vendor of tickets for ocean liners and steamships, including for the ill-fated RMS Titanic voyage in 1912.
The mural therefore commemorates the tragic story of the Titanic – which sank on its voyage across the Atlantic and resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people – while also incorporating elements of Ashton’s history and heritage.
In fact, the Ashton sign has also been recognised as one of the last remaining ghost signs by the British Titanic Society and further restoration work on the advertisement is hoped to begin soon.
The mural celebrates the historic roots of Ashton(Image: Wigan Council)
Snow Graffiti, an Ashton-based artist, used airbrush and graffiti materials to outline some of the town’s historic businesses, including shops and venues no longer in existence today. It also makes reference to films and the artist’s own family. There is even a nod to cafe owner Andy Firman.
The dad-of-three, who quit his job as a mechanic during the pandemic to follow his artistic passion full-time, has previously created pieces based on the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Ariana Grande, Oasis and Ricky Hatton, and also has a popular YouTube channel with more than 185,000 subscribers.
“I didn’t realise how much of an impact that some of my murals would have,” Scott said. “So I made sure to do my research and include as many references and ‘easter eggs’ as I can on this one.
“Andy has been feeding me throughout the work and loads of people have been stopping to thank me and giving me great feedback.
The ‘ghost sign’ next to the mural will go under restoration work very soon(Image: Wigan Council)
“My family are all from Ashton and have lived here all their lives, so it makes me really proud to see this and include them. People have already been travelling here to see it, so I think it will bring more people into Ashton too.”
The mural is the first in a series of public artworks which will be installed across Ashton in 2026 forming part of a regeneration scheme for the area. Other projects will also include a new public square on the historic market site, as well as improvements to local streets and upgrades to high street shopfronts.
Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council said: “Developed in consultation with local communities, Ashton’s art programme will get people talking and celebrate Ashton’s unique heritage and cultural character.
“Scott’s mural is an amazing piece of art, and combined with Ashton’s wider regeneration plans, we hope that the artworks will bring some positivity to the town and encourage people to visit and support town centre businesses.”
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